OT..Frozen Tranny?

Dellbertt · Dec 18, 2008

I have a 1999 Lumina 3.2L/automatic with shift on column, only 40,000 miles on it. For the last couple weeks we have been having temps about 10F at night and about 20F daytime. I cannot move the shifter into gear in the morning. When the outside temperature rises to about 30F then the shift will move and we can drive the car.
What’s going on? Is it frozen linkage, cold ATF or something else?
Maybe we should sleep in every day until the temps rise.
Thanks, Dell

mkirsch · Dec 18, 2008

My first guess would be moisture in the shift cable that runs from the column to the transmission.

When was the last time that the fluid in the transmission was changed? I doubt if it's water in the ATF because automatic transmissions normally get hot enough to boil off any moisture, though. It would take a lot more than just going over 30F to free it up if the transmission were freezing up... It took a solid week of above-freezing temperatures to thaw out my Super H's transmission when I got it.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 18, 2008

The Shift cable is siezing up, it is the first thing to check...I've seen this several times...Randy (25 yr ASE Master Tech)

Allan in NE · Dec 18, 2008

Shift cable or interlock solenoid.

Allan

Dellbertt · Dec 18, 2008

Thanks,

Ok, the shift cable.

What do I do, install a new one or lube the old one.

Shift solenoid? Is that a bit job.

Coax · Dec 18, 2008

Lightly hit it with a Torch to dry it out and get it moving I'd say...

OT..Frozen Tranny?

Dellbertt

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mkirsch

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Anonymous-0

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Allan in NE

Well-known Member

Dellbertt

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Coax

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